Virginia Tech Dendrology

salmonberry Rosaceae Rubus spectabilis Pursh symbol: RUSP
Leaf: Alternate, pinnately compound (3 leaflets), deciduous; leaflets are ovate, 1 to 3 inches long, green above and below, margins are doubly serrate or lobed and serrate; the opposing lateral leaflets often have a single lobe and together resemble a butterfly. Leaflets are armed below and have a wrinkled surface above.
Flower: Perfect, complete; large (about 1 1/2 inches in diameter), bright pink to dark red (often magenta), occur either singly or in clusters of 2 to 4, appearing in late spring to early summer.
Fruit: Yellow to red (often salmon colored), mushy raspberries (aggregate of drupelets); edible, but taste varies. Pull free from the torus (central core), leaving a thimble-like appearance.
Twig: New stems are green and armed; older stems have orange bark that is thin, papery, exfoliates, and has fine prickles that exfoliate.
Bark:
Form: An erect, spindly shrub that commonly grows 3 to 10 feet tall; often forms dense thickets.
Looks like: Himalaya blackberry - evergreen blackberry - whitebark raspberry - wild blackberry

Additional Range Information: Rubus spectabilis is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDAFS FEIS Silvics - USDA Plants Database
All material 2021 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information